Holy Smokes Batman! That was fun!
That was Kay Simpson’s response after she took a selfie with the Batmobile at The Springfield Museums’ Hall of Heroes exhibit.
“That took me right back to memories of reruns after school of Batman and Robin,” said the president and CEO of the Springfield Museums.
Hall of Heroes at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History is on exhibit through Sept. 13.
The traveling exhibition helps visitors discover their “superpowers” through immersive experiences that engage the body and the mind. Underlying all of the activity is serious science, technology, engineering and math learning.
“For decades, superheroes have entranced us through comic books, movies and television programs. We are dazzled by their supernatural abilities, fearless adventures and fantastic personalities,” Simpson said. “Everyone loves the idea of being super at something — and they especially love the idea of being a hero, that is being important to other people and involved in doing good deeds that help improve the world.”
Testing one’s superpowers is just one element of the Hall of Heroes experience. Interactive dioramas explore the history of superheroes in popular culture. Many stations include information that explores the science behind the activity.
The exhibit explores five disciplines considered the basis for all super powers: Powers of the Body, Powers of the Mind, Mastery, Gadgets and the Elements. These five powers are reflected throughout the exhibit. Visitors can explore, learn and test their skills at the many interactive stations to find out in what discipline of Superhero they excel.
For example, in Gadgets, there is a robotic arm that a visitor can manipulate to move objects. “This is not easy, not everyone can do it, but some seem to be naturals,” Simpson said.
And for Powers of the Body, there is a balance beam — which simulates spanning skyscrapers. “Not everyone can traverse this beam, but some can in a flash,” she added.
The exhibit is filled with stations that allow visitors to test their own unique abilities — agility, strength, speed — and their brain powers — problem solving and memory. “Honestly, everyone has a super power — something they are really good at — the trick is figuring out what that superpower is,” Simpson said. “Once you find that superpower, you can explore it with dedication and hone it to mastery.”
The Museums offer experiences based on their collections that help children understand science, technology, engineering, art and math through playful learning, both in person at the Museums and through virtual learning opportunities.
“This region was built on the ingenuity of STEAM: from the First Peoples who figured out how to use the materials of the land to build strong communities to Milton Bradley who taught America to play by using his lithography machine to create the Game of Life,” Simpson said. “From the Korkosz brothers who created the first American-made Starball, still in use at our planetarium, to Ruth E. Carter who uses her genius in clothing design to tell deep and inspiring stories. Springfield has the great potential to continue to nurture this kind of genius, especially when we do so with intention.”
People need superheroes today, in a pandemic. “At this time, when we are all being pressed to be our very best selves despite difficult circumstances, superheroes help us focus on doing right and fighting for justice,” Simpson said. “And, truly, we don’t need to look far to see real-life superheroes — medical workers, first responders, grocery store workers — we are so grateful to those superheroes.”
Another exhibit, Healthcare Heroes, also will be on display beginning Aug. 1 in the Wood Museum of Springfield History. The exhibition explores the local history of nursing and health care in Springfield and pays homage to the dedicated professionals who exercise their superpowers to save lives.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Museums are operating at 25 percent of capacity. Staff monitors the number of people in each space; masks are required for all visitors and staff.
Hall of Heroes was created by Stage Nine Design and is distributed by Exhibits Development Group.
The Springfield Museums are located on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards St. in downtown Springfield. The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated consortium of museums includes the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum.
Museum hours are Monday seniors 60 years and older 10 a.m. to noon; all noon to 5 p.m. and
Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, go to springfieldmuseums.org